Historical recollection indicates that prior to 1974 there were loosely organized groups of boys track and field officials in the area, but they were not certified by the state organization. In 1973 iit was learned that Section II would be asked to host the 1974 New York State Outdoor Championship. Hosting this prestigious meet requires a qualified chapter of officials and was the incentive Section II needed to pursue certification from the state. Local certification and organizational efforts were initiated by Brent Steuerwald, of the Section II Track Committee, and spearheaded by Bruce Arnold. By 1974 the state requirements were met and a local officials association was able to present a state certified chapter to Section II. Bruce Arnold served as the first President of that Association from 1974-78. Today, some of the chapter's historical records date to 1974.

When girls track & field was initiated in Section II, a separate officiating group was developed mirroring the system at the state level. The Capital District Track Officials (CDTO) organization became a single entity servicing boys and girls athletes when the two local groups merged in 1984. Today, the CDTO serves all of the schools in Section II and is one of many similar organizations throughout the state that operate under the auspices of the New York State Officials of Track, Field and Cross Country (NYSOTFCC).

Section II encompasses a geographical area stretching from New England in the east to St. Johnsville in the West, and Taconic Hills (Craryville) in the south to North Warren (Chestertown) in the north. This is a huge area with nine separate leagues of competition. School sizes range from the very large schools of the Suburban Council and Big 10 to the very small schools of the CHVL and Adirondack Leagues.

The CDTO membership numbers vary from year to year but typically there are about 100 to 110 members, many of whom are coaches, and many that, for one reason or another, are not available to officiate on a given day. Therefore, servicing the large and diverse group of schools in Section II is challenging. Today, the group is led by five officers and two assignors, one each for indoor and outdoor seasons. It falls to the assignors to make sure all the meets are covered and all changes are accommodated in a timely manner.

Cross Country competition for boys and girls begins in September and finishes in November. League and Sectional Championships complete the local season. The season ends with the XC State Federation Championship Meet that has frequently been held in the Hudson Valley Area.

Indoors, the boys and girls track and field season runs from December through March. League and Sectional Championships complete the local season followed by the State Championship held at Cornell University.

Outdoors, the boys and girls track and field competition begins in late March, and runs through June. League and Sectional Championships complete the local season. Yearly State Championships are held in a region of the state that is rotated frequently.

Outdoor track & field in Section II includes eleven running events, two vertical jumps, two horizontal jumps and two throwing events. Indoor track and field has ten running events, two vertical jumps, two horizontal jumps and one throwing event. At invitational meets, which frequently include competitors from outside Section II, there are often a larger variety of events. Some meets offer only relay events, and others offer three or more throwing events in addition to the traditional running events. There are also more events at the State Championship.

Each season, some Section II athletes and officials participate in the State and National Championship events. New York State Certified Officials are expected to fill the following positions at track & field meets held in Section II and elsewhere:

RefereeClerk of CourseStarterHead Finish Line JudgeFinish Line OfficialFinish Line MarshalHead UmpireUmpireWind Gauge OfficialRace Walk JudgeSteeplechase Official